Page 46 of Managing the Major

Determined to curtail any further presumption on Lucy’s part, Alastair turned to Lady Merrick. “I see Miss Merrick has finished her dance. Let me fetch her and inquire if Thursday will suit for tea.” Without waiting for an answer, he strode toward Octavia, ignoring the twinge in his left leg. Lucy was in the middle of introducing Lady Wilcox, and he waited until she finished.

“Good evening, Sir William. How fortunate to find you with Miss Merrick. Lady Wilcox, Lady Crawford, forgive my interruption, but the dowager countess has commissioned me to bring her daughter back. And I believe my sister is searching for you, Sir William. Something to do with an invitation to tea, perhaps?”

A variety of reactions greeted his words. Lucy looked decidedly peeved, and Lady Wilcox peered at Alastair haughtily through her eyepiece, while Sir William and Octavia exchanged a relieved glance. When Octavia flashed him a grateful smile, Lucy’s lips tightened.

Alastair stepped forward. “Allow me to escort you both. Thank you both for your forbearance, Lady Wilcox, Lady Crawford.” He was unsure what Lucy’s title was now, but damned if he’d grace her with it. She was out to make trouble, his instincts whispered, and they were usually correct.

Octavia placed her hand on his outstretched arm, and he led her back to Lady Amelia, Sir William close behind.

“Thank you,” she whispered. “I really didn’t know what to say. I dislike Henrietta Wilcox intensely and barely know Lady Crawford.”

“I’m happy my interference wasn’t out of place, but you looked distressed. Sir William, pardon my presumption.”

“Not at all. It was an awkward situation. Ah, here we are. Lady Amelia, that color greatly becomes you. Mrs. Croyden, you wished to speak to me?”

Nerissa looked confused for a moment, but recovered quickly. “Yes, Sir William. I’m having the Merricks to tea this Thursday, and I thought you might care to join us.”

“I would, very much so.”

“Miss Octavia, are you free from engagements Thursday at four o’clock?” Nerissa asked. “We’d like to thank you for finding Thor…I believe that is the horse’s name. I’m told he’s a very fine animal. Shall I order some confections from Les Douceurs, Alastair?”

“Lady Hope and I often wondered how the major stays fit with the delicious pastries available at Fairfax,” Octavia said, a mischievous glint in her eyes. “Mrs. Carter disclosed his propensity for sweets. But yes, I would enjoy coming for tea.”

Of course, heat rose to his cheeks. He would exact penance for embarrassing him when they were alone. “I expected to see Lady Hope tonight…I hope she suffers no ill effects from traveling.”

“None at all,” Octavia reassured him. “But Lord Hope just returned from the country as well, and they decided on a quiet evening at home.”

The idea appealed to Alastair; he wondered if Octavia would be comfortable spending time away from all the parties and social engagements of London. He feared to ask. But that hadn’t kept him from imagining a quieter life together at Fairfax, and remembering how well she had fit into his home. She looked stunning tonight, and he burned to kiss the bare alabaster of her shoulders. A glittering diamond pendant hung from a choker of pearls and nestled in the hollow of her collarbones, and he suddenly understood the need gentlemen had to shower their lovers with jewels. He would remove every shred of clothing but that one necklace.

The desire to have her alone was overwhelming. As Lady Merrick and his sister made plans for tea with Sir William, he whispered close to her ear.

“Does this house have a library?”

“I’m certain it does; Lord Willoughby often boasts of owning several ancient texts. Why?”

“I want to speak with you in private. How might we arrange it?”

“Let me visit the retiring room and look for it along the way. If you proceed to the refreshment table, I’ll meet you when I discover where it is. Why, Alastair? Is anything amiss?”

“No, but I’m weary of sharing you with everyone.”

Her eyes widened. “Those are my feelings exactly. How I miss our privacy at Fairfax.”

His heart leaped and he had to steal a caress. His fingers surreptitiously brushed her glove. “Soon, then.”

Chapter Nineteen

An Unexpected Interruption

At the refreshment table, Alastair sipped a glass of wine as he waited for Octavia. Upon his return to the house in Ovington Square, a letter from the Earl of Seldon waited. It contained an invitation to a private race Lord Richard had arranged at Epsom Downs for the week after next, which he fully intended to accept.

Not only would the excursion be pleasant, but the opportunity could arise to discuss his hospital project with people who could actually fund the facility. Last week, he secured the support of a retired colonel sitting in the House of Commons, a much-needed addition to the various high-ranking members of the military he had already enlisted.

Still, he lacked the financial backing. Finding support among a few titled gentlemen might eliminate that problem, and he could have the House of Lords on his side. Alastair intended to approach Sir William and Lord Hope; it was important to garner interest within the ton.

After considering options for a location, his best bet was securing an addition to the London Hospital, a wing specifically designated to treat wounded soldiers. He doubted he had the allies to petition for a Royal Charter, but an act of Parliament could incorporate the project. Or such a structure could be built strictly from private funds, with permission from the hospital committee.

As he mused on the particulars needed to approach the earl, Alastair idly studied the dancers on the ballroom floor. Sir William partnered Nerissa, whose glow made her look young again. Abigail and young Theo Von Berger were one of four couples in the same set, executing the popular country dance with skill.